KR20150084446A

KR20150084446A - Mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: KR20150084446A
Application number: KR1020140004471A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 채수봉
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2014-01-14
Filing date: 2014-01-14
Publication date: 2015-07-22

Abstract

A mobile terminal includes: a case having an electronic device; a flexible touch substrate which includes a first touch electrode having one side arranged on the side of an injection case, and a second touch electrode which is separated from the first touch electrode; and a main substrate which is connected to the other side of the flexible touch substrate. The thickness of the mobile terminal can be reduced by reducing the size of a lateral button of the mobile terminal.

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a touch button positioned on a side surface thereof.

A terminal can be divided into a mobile terminal (mobile / portable terminal) and a stationary terminal according to whether the terminal can be moved. The mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether the user can directly carry the mobile terminal.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

Various functions of the mobile terminal have to be implemented, and various devices have to be mounted. Meanwhile, there is a demand for a slim mobile terminal, and efforts are being made to reduce the size and number of possible members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal capable of reducing a button size of a side surface and reducing the thickness of a mobile terminal and minimizing the number of members.

According to an aspect of the present invention, A flexible touch substrate including a first touch electrode disposed on one side of the injection case and spaced apart from the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode; And a main board connected to the other side of the flexible touch board.

The flexible touch substrate may be integrally formed by the case and the double injection method.

The case may be interposed between a front case located on the front side of the mobile terminal and a rear case located on the back side of the mobile terminal.

And the other side of the flexible touch substrate extends to the full length part through an opening formed in the case, and the flexible touch substrate has a coating layer covering the outer surface of the case and the flexible touch substrate, As shown in FIG.

The positions of the first touch electrode and the second pattern may be located in different layers in the thickness direction of the flexible touch substrate.

The first touch electrode and the second touch electrode are arranged alternately so that when the user touches the side surface of the case, the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode can be touched simultaneously.

And a concavity and convexity formed on a surface of the case located on the flexible touch substrate.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the mobile terminal can be reduced by reducing the size of the side buttons of the mobile terminal. In addition, the structure of the member for realizing the button can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description will be.

1A is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams illustrating an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention in different directions.
2A to 2C are cross-sectional views showing different embodiments of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
3 is a view illustrating a rear case and a flexible touch substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing various embodiments of a flexible touch substrate of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible touch substrate of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of related arts will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein may be blurred. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. , &Lt; / RTI > equivalents, and alternatives.

Terms including ordinals, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, the terms "comprises", "having", and the like are used to specify that a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram for explaining a mobile terminal according to the present invention, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams illustrating an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention in different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a control unit 180, ), And the like. The components shown in FIG. 1A are not essential for implementing a mobile terminal, so that the mobile terminal described herein may have more or fewer components than the components listed above.

The wireless communication unit 110 may be connected to the wireless communication system 100 between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100 or between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobile terminal 100. [ And one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the network in which the terminal 100, or an external server, is located.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short distance communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 or an image input unit for inputting a video signal, a microphone 122 for inputting an audio signal, an audio input unit, a user input unit 123 for receiving information from a user A touch key, a mechanical key, and the like). The voice data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed by a user's control command.

The sensing unit 140 may include at least one sensor for sensing at least one of information in the mobile terminal, surrounding environment information surrounding the mobile terminal, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, A G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared sensor, a finger scan sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, An optical sensor (e.g., a camera 121, a microphone 122, a battery gage, an environmental sensor (e.g., a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, (E.g., a sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), a chemical sensor (e.g., an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.) Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > Combined can be used.

The output unit 150 includes at least one of a display unit 151, an acoustic output unit 152, a haptic tip module 153, and a light output unit 154 to generate an output related to visual, auditory, can do. The display unit 151 may have a mutual layer structure with the touch sensor or may be integrally formed to realize a touch screen. The touch screen may function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user and may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

The interface unit 160 serves as a path to various types of external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 is connected to a device having a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, And may include at least one of a port, an audio I / O port, a video I / O port, and an earphone port. In the mobile terminal 100, corresponding to the connection of the external device to the interface unit 160, it is possible to perform appropriate control related to the connected external device.

The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs or applications running on the mobile terminal 100, data for operation of the mobile terminal 100, and commands. At least some of these applications may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. At least some of these application programs may exist on the mobile terminal 100 from the time of shipment for the basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (e.g., call incoming, outgoing, message reception, and origination functions) . Meanwhile, the application program may be stored in the memory 170, installed on the mobile terminal 100, and may be operated by the control unit 180 to perform the operation (or function) of the mobile terminal.

In addition to the operations related to the application program, the control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. The control unit 180 may process or process signals, data, information, and the like input or output through the above-mentioned components, or may drive an application program stored in the memory 170 to provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user.

In addition, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1A in order to drive an application program stored in the memory 170. FIG. In addition, the controller 180 may operate at least two of the components included in the mobile terminal 100 in combination with each other for driving the application program.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power to the components included in the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, which may be an internal battery or a replaceable battery.

At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with one another to implement a method of operation, control, or control of a mobile terminal according to various embodiments described below. In addition, the operation, control, or control method of the mobile terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170. [

The mobile terminal 100 is provided with a display unit 151, first and second sound output units 152a and 152b, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, a light output unit 154, Cameras 121a and 121b, first and second operation units 123a and 123b, a microphone 122, an interface unit 160, and the like.

1B and 1C, a display unit 151, a first sound output unit 152a, a proximity sensor 141, an illuminance sensor 142, an optical output unit (not shown) A second operation unit 123b, a microphone 122 and an interface unit 160 are disposed on a side surface of the terminal body, And a mobile terminal 100 having a second sound output unit 152b and a second camera 121b disposed on a rear surface thereof.

However, these configurations are not limited to this arrangement. These configurations may be omitted or disposed on other surfaces as needed. For example, the first operation unit 123a may not be provided on the front surface of the terminal body, and the second sound output unit 152b may be provided on the side of the terminal body rather than the rear surface of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven by the mobile terminal 100 or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to the execution screen information .

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, a 3D display, and an e-ink display.

In addition, the display unit 151 may exist in two or more depending on the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a plurality of display portions spaced apart from each other or disposed integrally with one another, or may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

The display unit 151 may include a touch sensor that senses a touch with respect to the display unit 151 so that a control command can be received by a touch method. When a touch is made to the display unit 151, the touch sensor senses the touch, and the control unit 180 generates a control command corresponding to the touch based on the touch. The content input by the touch method may be a letter or a number, an instruction in various modes, a menu item which can be designated, and the like.

The touch sensor includes a metal wire having a touch electrode and disposed between the window 151a and a display (not shown) on the rear surface of the window 151a, or a metal wire directly patterned on the rear surface of the window 151a. . Alternatively, the touch sensor may be formed integrally with the display. For example, the touch sensor may be disposed on a substrate of the display or inside the display.

In this way, the display unit 151 can form a touch screen together with the touch sensor. In this case, the touch screen can function as a user input unit 123 (see FIG. 1A). In some cases, the touch screen may replace at least some functions of the first operation unit 123a.

The first sound output unit 152a may be implemented as a receiver for transmitting a call sound to a user's ear and the second sound output unit 152b may be implemented as a loud speaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia playback sounds. ). &Lt; / RTI >

The window 151a of the display unit 151 may be provided with an acoustic hole for emitting the sound generated from the first acoustic output unit 152a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sound may be configured to be emitted along an assembly gap (for example, a gap between the window 151a and the front case 101) between the structures. In this case, the appearance of the mobile terminal 100 can be made more simple because the hole formed independently for the apparent acoustic output is hidden or hidden.

The optical output unit 154 is configured to output light for notifying the occurrence of an event. Examples of the event include a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notification, an email reception, and reception of information through an application. The control unit 180 may control the light output unit 154 to terminate the light output when the event confirmation of the user is detected.

The first camera 121a processes an image frame of a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in the photographing mode or the video communication mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151 and can be stored in the memory 170. [

The first and second operation units 123a and 123b may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion as an example of a user input unit 123 operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 have. The first and second operation units 123a and 123b can be employed in any manner as long as the user is in a tactile manner such as touch, push, scroll, or the like.

In this figure, the first operation unit 123a is a touch key, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first operation unit 123a may be a mechanical key, or a combination of a touch key and a touch key.

The contents input by the first and second operation units 123a and 123b can be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 123a receives a command such as a menu, a home key, a cancellation, a search, and the like, and the second operation unit 123b receives a command from the first or second sound output unit 152a or 152b The size of the sound, and the change of the display unit 151 to the touch recognition mode.

On the other hand, a rear input unit (not shown) may be provided on the rear surface of the terminal body as another example of the user input unit 123. The rear input unit is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and input contents may be variously set. For example, commands such as power on / off, start, end, scrolling, and the like, the size adjustment of the sound output from the first and second sound output units 152a and 152b, And the like can be inputted. The rear input unit may be implemented as a touch input, a push input, or a combination thereof.

The rear input unit may be disposed so as to overlap with the front display unit 151 in the thickness direction of the terminal body. For example, the rear input unit may be disposed at the rear upper end of the terminal body such that when the user holds the terminal body with one hand, the rear input unit can be easily operated using the index finger. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position of the rear input unit may be changed.

When a rear input unit is provided on the rear surface of the terminal body, a new type of user interface using the rear input unit can be realized. When the first operation unit 123a is not disposed on the front surface of the terminal body in place of at least a part of the functions of the first operation unit 123a provided on the front surface of the terminal body, The display unit 151 may be configured as a larger screen.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with a fingerprint recognition sensor for recognizing the fingerprint of the user, and the controller 180 may use the fingerprint information sensed through the fingerprint recognition sensor as authentication means. The fingerprint recognition sensor may be embedded in the display unit 151 or the user input unit 123.

The microphone 122 is configured to receive the user's voice, other sounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be provided at a plurality of locations to receive stereophonic sound.

The interface unit 160 is a path through which the mobile terminal 100 can be connected to an external device. For example, the interface unit 160 may include a connection terminal for connection with another device (for example, an earphone or an external speaker), a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA Port), a Bluetooth port A wireless LAN port, or the like), or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented as a socket for receiving an external card such as a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) or a UIM (User Identity Module) or a memory card for storing information.

And a second camera 121b may be disposed on a rear surface of the terminal body. In this case, the second camera 121b has a photographing direction which is substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a.

The second camera 121b may include a plurality of lenses arranged along at least one line. The plurality of lenses may be arranged in a matrix form. Such a camera can be named an 'array camera'. When the second camera 121b is configured as an array camera, images can be taken in various ways using a plurality of lenses, and a better quality image can be obtained.

The flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. The flash 124 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera 121b.

And a second sound output unit 152b may be additionally disposed in the terminal body. The second sound output unit 152b may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 152a and may be used for implementing a speakerphone mode in a call.

The terminal body may be provided with at least one antenna for wireless communication. The antenna may be embedded in the terminal body or formed in the case. For example, an antenna constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1A) may be configured to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body. Alternatively, the antenna may be formed in a film type and attached to the inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case including a conductive material may be configured to function as an antenna.

The terminal body is provided with a power supply unit 190 (see FIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may include a battery 191 built in the terminal body or detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The battery 191 may be configured to receive power through a power cable connected to the interface unit 160. In addition, the battery 191 may be configured to be wirelessly chargeable through a wireless charger. The wireless charging may be implemented by a magnetic induction method or a resonance method (magnetic resonance method).

The rear cover 103 is configured to be coupled to the rear case 102 so as to cover the battery 191 to restrict the release of the battery 191 and to protect the battery 191 from external impact and foreign matter . When the battery 191 is detachably attached to the terminal body, the rear cover 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

The mobile terminal 100 may be provided with an accessory that protects the appearance or supports or expands the function of the mobile terminal 100. [ One example of such an accessory is a cover or pouch that covers or accommodates at least one side of the mobile terminal 100. [ The cover or pouch may be configured to interlock with the display unit 151 to expand the function of the mobile terminal 100. Another example of an accessory is a touch pen for supplementing or extending a touch input to the touch screen.

The user input unit 123b of the above aspect of the present invention uses a touch sensing method instead of a method of physically pushing a command to input a command. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a rear case 102 and a flexible touch substrate 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.

In the case of the metal dome method, the user input part 123b of the conventional side is formed of a layered structure of a top button, an actuator, a metal dome and a substrate, Which is a limitation in reducing the lateral thickness.

The user input unit 123b located on the side of the present invention forms a touch sensor on the flexible printed circuit board and positions the touch sensor on the side to implement the flexible touch substrate 200. [ The cases 101 and 102 can be manufactured by a dual injection method such that the flexible touch substrate 200 is integrated with the cases 101 and 102 as shown in FIG.

The flexible touch substrate 200 is coupled to the rear case 102 in the figure but may be formed in the front case 101 when the front case 101 surrounds the side surface, It may be formed integrally with the side case.

One side of the flexible touch substrate 200 is buried in the cases 101 and 102 and the other side extends inward of the cases 101 and 102. The other side of the flexible touch substrate 200 extending to the inside of the cases 101 and 102 is connected to the main substrate 185 mounted on the entire inside of the cases 101 and 102. When the user touches the side surface, And transfers an electrical signal to the main substrate 185 on the flexible touch substrate 200.

One side of the flexible touch substrate 200 can be positioned between the front case 101 and the rear case 102 as shown in Fig. 2B, or the side of the flexible touch substrate 200 can be positioned between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, One side of the flexible touch substrate 200 may be coupled to the outer surfaces of the cases 101 and 102 through the opening and the other side of the flexible touch substrate 200 may extend to the inner side of the case 101 and 102 . At this time, the surfaces of the cases 101 and 102 can be coated so that the flexible touch substrate 200 is not exposed to the outside.

3, the flexible touch substrate 200 includes two kinds of touch electrodes 210 and 220 including a first touch electrode 210 and a second touch electrode 220, The electrode 210 and the second touch electrode 220 are spaced apart from each other.

4 is a view showing various embodiments of the flexible touch substrate 200 of the mobile terminal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the second touch electrode 220 and the second touch electrode 220 may be spaced apart from the flexible touch substrate 2000.

When the user touches the first touch electrode 210 and the second touch electrode 220, the charge is stored as a capacitor between the first touch electrode 210 and the second touch electrode 220. However, when a conductive material such as a user's hand touches the first touch electrode 210, The capacitance between the first touch electrode 210 and the second touch electrode 220 changes as the charge stored between the second touch electrode 220 and the second touch electrode 220 flows along the user's hand.

Therefore, the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other but not in contact with each other, and can be implemented in various shapes as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. However, if the first touch electrode 210 is formed on one side and the second touch electrode 220 is formed on the other side, the user may not be able to sense the touch according to the touch position. Therefore, As shown in FIG.

Alternatively, the first touch electrode 210 and the second touch electrode 220 may be spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction of the flexible touch substrate 200 as shown in FIG. In the same way as in FIG. 4, the capacitance is changed between the two types of touch electrodes 210 and 220, so that the touch can be recognized.

In addition, the protrusions and protrusions 230 (see FIG. 1C) can be formed on the sides of the cases 101 and 102 so that the user can know the position of the portion where the flexible touch substrate 200 is located.

As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the mobile terminal can be reduced by reducing the size of the side user input unit of the mobile terminal. In addition, the structure of the member for realizing the user input portion on the side is simple, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

Accordingly, the above description should not be construed in a limiting sense in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
120: Input unit
140: sensing unit 150: output unit
160: memory 170: interface section
180: control unit 190: power supply unit
200: Flexible touch substrate 210: First touch electrode
220: second touch electrode

Claims

A case having a full-length portion inside;
A flexible touch substrate including a first touch electrode disposed on one side of the injection case and spaced apart from the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode; And
And a main board connected to the other side of the flexible touch board.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the flexible touch substrate is integrally formed by the case and the double injection method.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the case is interposed between a front case located on the front side of the mobile terminal and a rear case located on the back side of the mobile terminal.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein one side of the flexible touch board is coupled to an outer side surface of the case,
Wherein the other side of the flexible touch substrate extends through the opening formed in the case to the full-
Further comprising a coating layer covering the outer surface of the case and the flexible touch substrate.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein positions of the first touch electrode and the second pattern are located in different layers in the thickness direction of the flexible touch substrate.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode are alternately arranged so that when the user touches the side surface of the case, the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode are simultaneously touched.

The method according to claim 1,
And a protrusion formed on a surface of the case located on the flexible touch substrate.